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Academic Affairs

The Council on Academic Affairs (CAA) is at the heart of the university's mission. It approves all curriculum, and brings all program changes to the full senate for approval. The committee and its subcommittees meet weekly to keep pace with academic changes across the academy. The university meets the changing needs of our students and society through these programmatic changes.

Rules / Responsibilities

(1) Ten regular tenure-track faculty.

(a) Six regular tenure-track faculty, at least two of whom are members of the senate, selected by the faculty council. The term of service is three years.
(b) Four regular tenure-track faculty appointed by the president. The term of service is three years.

(2) Five students.

(a) Two graduate students. The term of service is two years.
(b) One professional student.
(c) Two undergraduate students. The term of service is two years.

(3) One administrator. The executive vice president and provost, or designee.

(1) Make recommendations to the senate concerning the educational and academic policies of the university (see rule 3335-5-41 of the Administrative Code). This responsibility shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, the power to make recommendations concerning the establishment, alteration and abolition of all curricula and courses offered by the university or any division thereof; of all degrees and certificates conferred under authority of the university or any division thereof; and of all colleges, departments, and schools. It may conduct such investigations and appoint such committees as are reasonably necessary to carry out its responsibilities under these rules. Committees appointed by this council may be discharged by it at any time.

(2) Initiate recommendations to the senate and review all proposed changes in the educational and academic policies of the university. In reviewing proposed changes, the council shall:

(a) Receive from the various colleges and schools, pursuant to the exercise of their powers under rule 3335-5-14 of the Administrative Code, proposals for the establishment, alteration or abolition of courses and curricula, of departments, schools, and divisions within a college, and of academic degrees. (See rules 3335-3-37, 3335-8-02, and 3335-8-03 of the Administrative Code);

(b) Receive from the graduate school, pursuant to the exercise of powers conferred upon the research and graduate council by rule 3335-5-35 of the Administrative Code, its proposals for the adoption, alteration or abolition of graduate-credit courses and curricula, and of academic degrees administered by it. (See rules 3335-8-02 and 3335-8-03 of the Administrative Code.)
Upon proposals respecting courses and curricula, the council shall act with finality subject to the rights of the graduate school or of any college to bring the council's decision before the senate for review. With respect to other submissions to it, the council shall make its recommendations to the senate after notice thereof, in at least abbreviated form, has been given in the official bulletin. Failure of the council on academic affairs to act or to submit its recommendations will not deprive the senate of power to review these other submissions.

(3) Foster, as needed for interdisciplinary programs involving two or more academic areas, the establishment of faculty coordinating units reporting to the council. These units shall perform coordinative functions similar to those of the faculty of the arts and sciences (see rule 3335-5-27 of the Administrative Code) and shall serve the interdisciplinary interest of academic programs both within and among the several colleges of the university.

(4) Appoint ad hoc arbitration committees to help solve problems created by any major reorganization of the academic structure of the university. The role of such committees shall be:

(a) To encourage discussion between and within groups of faculty members of departments or schools when it is apparent that relocation in a different organizational environment is a source of concern to some of these groups;

(b) To hear viewpoints and where necessary to take the lead in the arbitration of problems of individuals or groups who feel their professional development may be adversely affected by the revised organization.
If agreement cannot be reached by consultation or arbitration, an arbitration committee may make a recommendation to the senate through the council on academic affairs on what should be done to solve the problem at issue from the standpoint of what is best for the university.

(5) Review the academic organization of the university at five-year intervals to make certain it is kept as closely attuned as possible to changing needs. Any suggestions for modifications and improvements shall be reported to the senate.

(6) Formulate and announce a procedure to be followed in the establishment, alteration or abolition of courses or curricula.

(7) Review the administration's proposals following the determination of a state of financial exigency as provided under rule 3335-5-02.1 of the Administrative Code.

(1) The chair of the council shall be elected for a one-year term by the council from the membership of the council. The vice chair of the council shall be elected for a one-year term by the council from the membership of the council. The chair (or in that person's absence, the vice chair) shall preside at all meetings of the council.

(2) Reports by the council on academic affairs to the president, other than those made through the senate, shall be made by the chair through the executive vice president and provost.

(3) As a standing committee of the senate, this council is also governed by the provisions of rules 3335-5-46 and 3335-5-48 of the Administrative Code.